Medal of Honor: Airborne

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Medal of Honor: Airborne is a single player and multiplayer shooter game with warfare and historical themes. It was developed by EA Los Angeles and was released on October 6, 2009. It received positive reviews from both critics and players.

Medal of Honor Airborne is a WWII first-person shooter where your parachute jump and landing spot directly impact your strategy. Explore open, vertical environments to gain tactical advantages against enemies, and engage in multiplayer battles across three modes on Xbox LIVE. The experience changes with every playthrough, offering a unique war each time. No refunds.

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80%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,999 reviews

story117 positive mentions

stability117 negative mentions

The game features a unique parachuting mechanic that allows players to choose their landing zone, adding a strategic element to gameplay.
The weapon upgrade system is engaging, rewarding players for using specific weapons and enhancing their performance as they progress.
Despite its age, the graphics and sound design still hold up reasonably well, providing an immersive WWII experience.

The game is very short, with only six missions that can be completed in a few hours, leading to a lack of replayability.
There are numerous bugs and glitches, including disappearing weapons, stuck characters, and inconsistent hit detection, which can frustrate players.
The AI, both friendly and enemy, is often unhelpful or overly aggressive, leading to frustrating gameplay experiences.

story
670 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
77%
6%
The story in "Medal of Honor: Airborne" is generally considered weak and simplistic, primarily serving as a backdrop for the gameplay rather than a compelling narrative. Players engage in six short missions based on real WWII operations, but the lack of character development and a cohesive plot leaves much to be desired. While the parachuting mechanic adds a unique twist to mission structure, the overall experience is often described as repetitive and lacking depth, with many reviewers noting that the game feels more like a series of combat scenarios than a cohesive story-driven campaign.
- “The story portrays in a dramatized manner the experiences of the paratroopers of the 'Easy' Company of the 101st Airborne Division.”
- “The plot is based on the events of the division, thus each chapter, presented in the form of a mission, portrays their most crucial operations.”
- “Each mission begins with a parachute jump, allowing players to choose where to land and how to approach their objectives, providing a unique gameplay experience.”
- “The game is very short (only 6 missions) and there seems to be some weird mouse acceleration going on, the FOV is narrow and motion blur can't be turned off.”
- “The campaign is only 6 missions long without any real story arc; you just go around taking down enemies and fulfilling objectives.”
- “The story is honestly kinda forgettable, as is to be expected of a WWII game from this era when the subject had been pretty much played to death by then by better games.”
gameplay
348 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
58%
6%
The gameplay of *Medal of Honor: Airborne* is characterized by its innovative parachuting mechanic, allowing players to choose their landing zones and approach objectives in a non-linear fashion, which adds a refreshing layer of strategy to the WWII shooter genre. While the game features solid shooting mechanics and a weapon upgrade system, it suffers from some clunky controls, occasional bugs, and a relatively short campaign, leading to mixed feelings about its overall execution. Despite these issues, many players appreciate the engaging gameplay and nostalgic elements, making it a memorable experience for fans of the series.
- “Released during a time when WWII shooters were nearing saturation, Medal of Honor: Airborne dared to shake up the formula — and even years later, its ambitious design choices and fluid mechanics still leave an impression.”
- “The ability to parachute onto the battlefield is a fun mechanic and one that was extremely rare at the time this game came out.”
- “The gameplay mixes that of some tactical shooters with a standard FPS, adding depth with an emphasis on leaning and strategic placement, allowing players to spawn and parachute on top of buildings for better shots.”
- “The campaign, while exhilarating, is relatively short — about 6 missions in total — and some levels can feel repetitive after multiple playthroughs, despite the dynamic landing mechanic.”
- “The aim/lean mechanic is annoying as hell.”
- “I regretted wasting that money on this pile of shit, not only is it riddled with weird visual and gameplay bugs, the game plays like a dumbed down Call of Duty knock-off, expect lots of bullshit deaths, brain-dead AI, and weak ineffective guns, whilst enemies can fire through cover and pick you off from kilometers away.”
graphics
317 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
49%
7%
The graphics of "Medal of Honor: Airborne," released in 2007, are generally regarded as impressive for their time, with many players noting that they still hold up well today despite some minor glitches and outdated elements. While some reviews highlight the game's nostalgic appeal and decent visual quality, others point out issues such as graphical bugs and limited customization options. Overall, the visuals are considered a strong aspect of the game, contributing to an immersive World War II experience.
- “The graphics are amazing, especially considering that it was released in 2007.”
- “The graphics hold up pretty well for a game that came out in 2007.”
- “The graphics have aged fairly well, and are impressive for such an old game.”
- “Glitches, bugs, graphic errors, and so on.”
- “The story kinda started okay, but there are graphical artifacts I couldn't ignore.”
- “I wish I could give this a middle of the road review since this isn't a bad game but the hit detection only works half the time, and there are a lot of graphical glitches.”
stability
124 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
6%
94%
The game's stability is heavily criticized, with numerous reports of glitches, bugs, and control issues that significantly impact gameplay. Players frequently encounter problems such as getting stuck on invisible walls, disappearing weapons, and graphical errors, leading to frustration and the need to restart from checkpoints. While some find the glitches amusing, many agree that the game's overall stability is poor, especially on modern hardware, detracting from the nostalgic experience.
- “Not sure why I didn't play it back when it released... it is a solid game and runs great, especially for $4.50.”
- “Game runs great and had no issues with framerate, graphics, or any other nasty surprises.”
- “The game seems to run bug-free on Windows 10.”
- “Glitches everywhere you go, you get stuck on textures, weapons in your hands keep disappearing, audio glitches and so on and so on.”
- “The major let down is that it is pretty buggy, a few times I had to load the game from a checkpoint as you will randomly get stuck in a wall and can't move whatsoever.”
- “This game is incredibly buggy and not recommended.”
music
95 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
59%
38%
3%
The music in the game has been widely praised, with many reviewers highlighting its epic orchestral compositions by Michael Giacchino, which evoke strong emotions and nostalgia, particularly for fans of the Medal of Honor series. While some tracks are reused from previous titles, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature that enhances the gameplay experience, providing a cinematic feel that complements the action. Overall, the music is described as beautiful, memorable, and integral to the game's atmosphere, making it a significant aspect of its appeal.
- “And maybe the best and most memorable soundtrack in gaming history.”
- “The game's soundtrack is epic, with soaring orchestral pieces that will make you feel like you're in the middle of an action movie.”
- “The music is amazing and breathtaking!”
- “The soundtrack consists mostly of re-used tracks from previous titles; it's nice to listen to the classics, but they could have composed a really nice new soundtrack.”
- “We were sick of it all: the European landscape, the same inadequate weapons, the bombastic orchestrated music that blared as you shot the same enemy types over and over.”
- “Anything but the music (for nostalgia reasons) is a really bad game.”
replayability
51 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
59%
14%
The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with many players appreciating its non-linear level design and weapon upgrade system that encourages experimentation and varied gameplay approaches. However, the short campaign length and some technical issues detract from its overall replay value, leading to opinions that while it offers enjoyable moments, it may not sustain long-term engagement. Overall, it has decent replayability due to its open-ended maps and customization options, but some players find it lacking in depth and longevity.
- “This non-linear approach to level design was ahead of its time, encouraging replayability and experimentation.”
- “The fact that you can complete the objectives in any order you want makes the game somewhat non-linear, and therefore gives the game a good degree of replay value.”
- “The game is highly replayable, especially if you are like me, meaning that you want to upgrade all the guns and get 5 stars in every difficulty.”
- “The game features a short campaign that is pretty standard WWII shooter, but the airborne mechanic is fun and allows you to basically land wherever you'd like on each mission, giving it some replay value with different strategies for taking on each drop.”
- “The game 'sins' by being short, only 6 missions and a tutorial, and although it encourages replayability with the weapon progression system and the mission's score, restarting a mission is a pain because the cutscenes are not skippable as well as the cutscene to get into the main menu, which you have to see when you want to exit the game.”
- “Another drawback is the poor AI; allies in this game are essentially useless, and you will notice that you are literally killing everyone and doing most of the workload. After you beat the game, there is little reason to pick it back up and play it, as the other difficulties don't expand on the game much.”
humor
38 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
97%
8%
The humor in the game is largely derived from its numerous glitches and quirky physics, which often lead to unintentionally comedic moments, such as exaggerated ragdoll effects and absurd enemy behaviors. Players find the combination of entertaining missions and bizarre gameplay mechanics, like flying bodies and odd weapon upgrades, to be amusing, enhancing the overall experience despite some frustrations. While the humor can be hit-or-miss, it generally adds a lighthearted charm to the gameplay, making it enjoyable for those who appreciate its comedic elements.
- “Just remember, in this game, every mission is a chance to prove that bravery and a good sense of humor are the ultimate weapons against tyranny.”
- “One particular hilarious instance was where there were 3 enemies on a floor above me; they must have all decided to repeatedly throw grenades down the stairs but missing entirely because the grenades got stuck on the top step.”
- “The body physics in this will leave you laughing hysterically; check my photos of it if you do not believe me.”
- “The ragdoll effects are not funny; they come off as poorly executed.”
- “The humor falls flat and often feels forced rather than natural.”
- “Many jokes miss the mark, leaving players more confused than amused.”
monetization
24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
13%
96%
The monetization aspect of the game is criticized for lacking in-game purchases, battle passes, or DLC, which some players appreciate, but the overall gameplay experience is marred by numerous technical issues and awkward mechanics, particularly related to aiming down sights (ADS). Players report frustrating glitches, outdated controls, and a poorly designed combat system that detracts from enjoyment, leading many to feel the game is not worth its price. Overall, while the absence of monetization elements is noted, the game's numerous flaws overshadow this positive aspect.
- “There are no in-game purchases, battle passes, or DLCs, which is refreshing.”
- “I appreciate that the game doesn't push any monetization schemes on players.”
- “It's great to see a game that focuses on gameplay rather than monetization.”
- “This game is not worth a dime; its shoot, die, shoot, die story is garbage along with this weird ads system where you don't use the rear sight.”
- “The controls are outdated to the point that you cannot move while aiming down sights, grenades have to be equipped before throwing, and the hit registration is just awful.”
- “The FOV and ads settings feel like they were ripped directly from console... it's as if they actually were... hmmm... don't buy this if you're an avid PC gamer because it will not meet your expectations.”
optimization
21 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
38%
29%
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players experiencing smooth performance and high frame rates on modern hardware, while others report significant stuttering and bugs, particularly on newer systems. Overall, while the graphics and gameplay can be enjoyable, many users express frustration with the game's poor optimization, which detracts from the experience.
- “I am highly satisfied with both the gameplay performance and graphics.”
- “- performance: excellent (played at 1440p, max settings, 120fps).”
- “Now running on RTX 3090, this game runs smoothly at 1000 fps. I think every modern GPU can run it just fine without the need to lower image quality.”
- “It’s also a shame how this game is so poorly optimized and buggy on newer hardware, but this game will forever hold a special place in my heart as one of the best games from my childhood.”
- “Game keeps stuttering so I can't play this garbage 4/10.”
- “First of all, this game is horribly optimized.”
atmosphere
15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
60%
20%
The atmosphere of the game is generally praised for effectively capturing the daunting experience of WWII, enhanced by impressive graphics and sound design that contribute to an immersive historical setting. While some players note that certain censorship detracts from the mood, the unique gameplay elements, such as parachuting and sandbox missions, add a distinct verticality that enhances replayability. Overall, despite its age, the game maintains a compelling atmosphere that resonates well with players.
- “Jumping out of an aeroplane into enemy territory as a paratrooper in WWII must have been a daunting experience, and this game captures the atmosphere well.”
- “The graphics for this game are fairly good, doing a very good job of using the environment and lighting to generate an atmosphere that, along with the soundtrack, fit Airborne like a glove.”
- “The gameplay offers an immersive atmosphere with detailed graphics and awesome WWII sounds.”
- “Personally, I think this sort of censorship detracts from the overall mood and atmosphere of the game, but ultimately it's only cosmetic changes, so it might not bother you enough to download a 6GB mod.”
- “The game does show its age, but the atmosphere makes up for it.”
- “3-hour campaign with no serious atmosphere.”
grinding
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
79%
Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be excessively tedious, particularly in the latter half of the campaign where level design can lead to frustration and prolonged gameplay. While some enjoy the rewards from leveling up weapons, the repetitive nature of missions and the need for extensive grinding detracts from the overall experience, making it feel like a chore rather than an engaging challenge.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “The first missions are cool and fun, but the second half of the campaign is extremely tedious with some poor level design.”
- “In later levels, where the enemies become quite tough, it's just not an option you can rely on, and you'll be back to tedious cover shooting.”
emotional
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
While the game lacks a deep storyline and character development, players find emotional resonance in its uplifting musical motifs and the sense of heroism it evokes. The well-composed soundtrack enhances key moments, creating emotional highs despite the game's simplicity. Overall, it offers a unique emotional experience, balancing feelings of obligation and triumph without traditional narrative depth.
- “The main motif and the incredible uplifting resolution at the end of the tracks 'Unblocking Utah' and 'Paestum Landing' always make me emotional.”
- “Music is also well composed and truly manages to highlight some surprisingly emotional moments despite the lack of any character to care about.”
- “But it made me feel like a hero, who was ready to embark on some epic journey.”
character development
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Character development in Medal of Honor: Airborne is notably minimal, with reviewers highlighting a lack of narrative depth and character growth compared to titles like Brothers in Arms and World at War. While the game introduces unique gameplay elements such as parachuting and sandbox missions, it ultimately falls short in delivering a compelling story or character arcs.
- “Also, there is no character development of any kind, which isn't surprising considering the lack of story.”
- “-plot: standard WWII game with a general lack of plot and character development.”
- “While Medal of Honor: Airborne is lacking the amazing character development present in Brothers in Arms and the gritty atmosphere of World at War, it still offered something unique: by adding parachuting and sandbox missions, the game acquired a vast verticality that offers replayability way beyond that of the more serious (and, admittedly, illustrious) duo that compose the aforementioned trio.”

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82%Critics’ scoreBased on 3 critic reviews

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7h Median play time

7h Average play time

6h Main story

13h Completionist

6-9h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 11 analyzed playthroughs

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Frequently Asked Questions

Medal of Honor: Airborne is a shooter game with warfare and historical themes.

Medal of Honor: Airborne is available on PC, Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and others.

The main story can be completed in around 6 hours, while the entire game is estimated to take about 13 hours to finish. On average players spend around 7 hours playing Medal of Honor: Airborne.

Medal of Honor: Airborne was released on October 6, 2009.

Medal of Honor: Airborne was developed by EA Los Angeles.

Medal of Honor: Airborne has received positive reviews from both players and critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its stability.

Medal of Honor: Airborne is a single player game with multiplayer support.

Similar games include Call of Duty, Brothers in Arms: Road to Hill 30, Medal of Honor: Tier 1 Edition, Return to Castle Wolfenstein, Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six® Vegas 2 and others.

Medal of Honor: Airborne

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"innovative ideas make for a shooter that rewards creative play"

X360/PC Review - 'Medal of Honor Airborne'